Problems · NHTSA complaints

2012 Ford Explorer problems

Owners filed 830 complaints about the 2012 Ford Explorer with NHTSA between Oct 2011 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is steering (360).

Complaints
830
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
10
Reported by owners
Fires
6
Reported by owners
Injuries
13
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Steering360
  2. Structure144
  3. Engine79
  4. Electrical system64
  5. Power train55
  6. Fuel/propulsion system27
  7. Air bags27
  8. Suspension22
  9. Service brakes19
  10. Electronic stability control (esc)19
  11. Vehicle speed control17
  12. Visibility16
  13. Seat belts14
  14. Engine and engine cooling14

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 4, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20117
201248
201333
201450
201552
201672
201774
201850
201970
202037
202137
202253
202366
202471
202583
202627

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Steering

360 reports6 crashes1 fire2 related recalls
“The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, the steering wheel seized. The contact pulled over to the side of the road, the vehicle was restarted; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was towed to the residence, and an independent mechanic arrived to diagnose the vehicle. The contact was informed that the steering wheel had seized due to the electric power steering failure. The contact was informed that the electric power steering and ABS module needed to be replaced. The failure mileage was 110,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 30, 2026Steering, Service brakes, hydraulicODI 11768099

Structure

144 reports1 crash1 fire2 related recalls
“The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, the driver's side and passenger's side exterior A-pillar trim detached. The contact used tape on the driver's side to secure the molding to the windshield. The contact stated that the passenger's side A-pillar trim detached and fell off the vehicle. The dealer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the vehicle was inspected. The contact was informed that parts were unavailable to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The manufacturer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 9, 2026StructureODI 11763200

Engine

79 reports1 crash3 fires
“The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, the traction control and check engine warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that a minute and a half later, while attempting to make a right turn, the steering wheel became firm, and added effort was needed to turn the steering wheel. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 2, 2025Traction control system, EngineODI 11684439

Electrical system

64 reports1 crash3 fires
“Had to pull over to chnage my tire and when attenpting to put my hazard lights on, or warning lights they did not work which resulted in several cars almost hitting me because I could not signal my lights. The way Ford designed the 2012 Ford Explorer hazard light button is flawed. Its not an actual button and relies solely on the touch screen which failed.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 25, 2026Electrical systemODI 11773477

Power train

55 reports1 crash
“The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40-60 MPH, the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that there was an abnormal burning odor coming from the vehicle. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V467000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) and linked the failure to the recall; however, the VIN nor the year, make, or model was included. The vehicle was not repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 21, 2025Fuel system, gasoline, Power trainODI 11675010

Fuel/propulsion system

27 reports
“while driving the vehicle goes into what I have found is called sleep mode.. The check engine lite comes on and the left info panel shows that the all wheel drive is not working. The dealer tried to see what codes were set and found none. My solution is to pull off the road, put the vehicle in park and turn off the ignition. After about 30 seconds I can restart the vehicle and drive again. The restart lasts from 15 seconds to a month. I found a TSB ( 16-0139) that covered this problem. However it did not offer any cure. I am concerned that someone will hit me when this happens.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 6, 2025Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11671465
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 4, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.